Divisional preview of boys, girls high school basketball playoffs
A crew of 11 – retired teachers, coaches, administrators and current and past Sac Joaquin Section staffers – met at the section office in Lodi on Wednesday to crunch numbers, pore over results and hammer out the brackets.
Click here for boys brackets or girls brackets for the 2015 Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs.
DIVISION I BOYS
This is a fun field with plenty of contenders.
Will it be Woodcreek, The Bee’s No. 2 team after a spirited 60-57 win over previous No. 1 Folsom? Will it be Folsom, the top seed and the defending Division II section champion that was No. 1 most of the season?
Woodcreek is led by senior guard Noah Blackwell and Jordan Brown, a standout freshman 6-foot-9 center. Folsom has experience with reigning Bee Player of the Year Jordan Ford and a strong supporting cast that includes Jared Wall, Alec Andrews, Lukas Hendricks, Tre Finch, Josiah Deguara and Colin Russell.
Pleasant Grove won the CIF State Division I title two years ago, and the lone player left from that team, center Marquese Chriss, is on top of his game..
And don’t forget second-seeded Sheldon, which beat Pleasant Grove with a late rally last week to win the Delta League. Sheldon, which has won five section titles in six seasons under coach Joey Rollings, is led by Devin Greene, Isaiah Brooks and Matt Manning.
And how about Kennedy, led by Austin Alexander, and Franklin, which is big inside with Austin Paybe and Phillip Fayne?
The wildcard could be defending champion Jesuit, led by Malik Duffy, a big man with skills, and prolific Isaiah Bailey, who is capable of scoring 40 points against any opponent.
Outbracket, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 17 Enochs at No. 16 Tokay
No. 19 Merced at No. 14 Chavez
No. 18 Edison at No. 15 Turlck
First-round, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Tokay/Enochs at No. 1 Folsom
No. 9 Granite Bay at No. 8 Jesuit
No. 12 Monterey Trail at No. 5 Kennedy
No. 13 Tracy at No. 4 Pleasant Grove
Chavez/Merced at No. 3 Woodcreek
No. 11 River City at No. 6 Franklin-Elk Grove
No. 10 Bella Vista at No. 7 Oak Ridge
Turlock/Edison at No. 2 Sheldon
DIVISION II BOYS
This is a strong field, even without defending champion Folsom (the top seed in Division I this year).
The top seed is red-hot Sacramento, The Bee’s No. 1 team, led by standout center Sololon Young and guard Christian Terrell. Young is motivated to make up for last season, when he missed the playoffs with a knee strain.
Modesto Christian, seeking to add to its section record of 16 titles, has size, skill and depth. And a victory over Sheldon.
Antelope is a threat with guard Mister Harriel, and St. Mary’s has a rich tradition.
The dark horse could be Cosumnes Oaks, led by Eric Toles and Jaaron Stallworth.
Outbracket, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 17 River Valley at No. 16 Vacaville
No. 19 Golden Valley at No. 14 Rodriguez
No. 18 Vintage at No. 15 Ponderosa
First round, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Vacaville/River Valley at No. 1 Sacramento
No. 9 Rocklin at No. 8 Del Campo
No. 12 Burbank at No. 5 Beyer
No. 13 Bethel at No. 4 Cosumnes Oaks
Rodriguez/Goldedn Valley at No. 3 St. Mary's
No. 11 Bear Creek at No. 6 Antelope
No. 10 Elk Grove at No. 7 Whitney
Ponderosa/Vintage at No. 2 Modesto Christian
DIVISION III BOYS
CBS earned the top seed with superb play, including a spirited nonleague win over Jesuit, a contender in Division I.
Cordova, behind 6-4 guard and section scoring leader (33 points) Jordan Roberson, has won 15 consecutive.
And don’t overlook Rio Americano and guard Matt Lyon, who is playing despite a leg fracture.
Outbracket, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 17 Inderkum at No. 16 Patterson
No. 18 Ceres at No. 15 El Dorado
First round, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Paterson/Inderkum at No. 1 Christian Brothers
No. 9 Weston Ranch at No. 8 Central Valley
No. 12 Lincoln at No. 5 Manteca
No. 13 Rio Americano at No. 4 Cordova
No. 14 Fairfield at No. 3 Sierra
No. 11 Vallejo at No. 6 Florin
No. 10 Vista del Lago at No. 7 Placer
Ceres/El Dorado at No. 2 Vanden
DIVISION IV BOYS
Three teams stand out in this scramble, starting with a defending champion. Capital Christian, a longtime power in Division V and a NorCal Open team last season, is led by guard Tiegen Jones, son of coach Devon Jones.
Marysville is 24-3 with two losses to Capital Christian in Golden Empire League play and the other one to West Campus team. Erik Scheive, a 6-10 center, averages 16 points and 12 rebounds.
And Liberty Ranch of Galt is 23-4, including a victory over Division I contender Cosumnes Oaks. The Hawks are led by DeAndre Stallings, who is averaging 26.5 points and 8 rebounds.
Outbracket, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 17 Delhi at No. 16 San Juan
No. 18 Highlands at No. 15 Riverbank
First round, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Delhi/San Juan at No. 1 Capital Christian
No. 9 Union Mine at No. 8 Sonora
No. 12 Mesa Verde at No. 5 Calaveras
No. 13 Ripon at No. 4 Marysville
No. 14 Dixon at No. 3 Foothill
No. 11 Summerville at No. 6 West Campus
No. 10 Natomas at No. 7 Central Catholic
Riverbank/Highlands at No. 2 Liberty Ranch
DIVISION V BOYS
The hottest team is Brookside Christian (21-4), which has won 19 consecutive games behind Kameron Vales (17.1 points) and Kenyon Williams (13.6). Other hot teams include Mariposa County (14 in a row) and Bradshaw Christian (10 in a row), which has prolific sophomore L.J. Williams, who averages 25.7 points.
First round, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
No. 9 Buckingham at No. 8 Forest Lake Christian
No. 13 Western Sierra at No. 4 Elliott Christian
No. 12 Le Grand at No. 5 Argonaut
No. 14 Hughes Academy at No. 3 Mariposa
No. 11 Delta Charter at No. 6 Millennium
No. 10 Foresthill at No. 7 Bradshaw Christian
Byes: No. 1 Ripon Christian, No. 2 Brookside Christian
DIVISION VI BOYS
New Life Christian of Olivehurst (23-3) is led by Kobe Bancroft and Sullivan Guy, each averaging 16.6 points. Sacramento Country Day (22-4) has a solid freshmen trio, Rick Barros (16.8points), B.J. Askew (15.9) and Jayce McCain. And Victory Christian of Carmichael (14-10) is led by Tyler O’Day, averaging 26 points.
Outbracket, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 9 Faith Christian at No. 8 Sacramento Waldorf
First round, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Waldorf/Faith Christian at No. 1 Sac Country Day
No. 5 Victory Christian at No. 4 Turlock Chrisitan
No. 6 New Life Christian at No. 3 Sac Adventist
No. 7 Stockton Christian at No. 2 Valley Christian
GIRLS DIVISION I
St. Mary’s, the national powerhouse from Stockton, is 25-1, seeking a three-peat and to add to their record of 15th section titles.
Oak Ridge, which won the Sierra Foothill League, has been in the Division I finals three times. It won the title (and the state Division I title) in 2010. Last year, it lost to St. Mary’s.
McClatchy, ranked No. 1 by The Bee, will be a factor with Gigi Garcia inside and Jordan Cruz outside.
Davis, with a 16-game winning streak, won the Delta League.
And Pleasant Grove, which didn’t win the section last year but advanced out of the loser’s bracket to win the NorCal Division I title, is led by Kim Schmelz, averaging 18.7 points.
Outbracket, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 17 Edison at No. 16 Merced
First round, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Merced/Edison at No. 1 St. Mary's
No. 9 Bella Vista at No. 8 St. Francis
No. 12 Folsom at No. 5 Lincoln
No. 13 Lodi at No. 4 Davis
No. 14 Enochs at No. 3 McClatchy
No. 11 Nevada Union at No. 6 Pleasant Grove
No. 10 River City at No. 7 Napa
No. 15 Bear Creek at No. 2 Oak Ridge
DIVISION II GIRLS
Kimball of Tracy is 26-0, but didn’t land the top seed because other teams had stronger schedules.
Top-seeded Modesto Christian is a longtime power that has won section, NorCal and state titles in Division III. Antelope, which has won 15 consecutive games, is led sisters Nia and Nadia Johnson and Angelica Baylon. Del Oro, with front court players Lauren Heyn (14.9 points) and Hannah Jordan (10.7), lost in Sierra Foothill League play only to Division I contender Oak Ridge.
The serious darkhorse is Sacramento, the two-time defending champion coached by the fiery and Michele Massari, whose team is young but balanced.
First round, Tuesday
No. 16 McNair at No. 1 Modesto Christian
No. 9 Vacaville at No. 8 Bethel
No. 12 Cordova at No. 5 Whitney
No. 13 Rodriguez at No. 4 Del Oro
No. 14 Buhach Colony at No. 3 Kimball
No. 11 Ponderosa at No. 11 Sacramento
No. 10 Elk Grove at No. 7 Golden Valley
No. 15 Beyer at No. 2 Antelope
DIVISION III GIRLS
Vanden, the top seed, is led by Kayla Blair (13.7 points), Julia Blackshell-Fair (12.2) and Kiana Moore (12.1).
Second-seeded Inderkum (23-3) features Kaliya Griffin (17.8), Kyliyah Daniel (14.5) and Daisia Williams (11.8).
Placer (20-6) has Baylee Vanderdoes (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Rio Linda (22-5) is led by freshman Makaila Sanders (21.5 points).
El Dorado (20-7) has won 10 consecutive games for coach Steve Scott, who won titles with the Oak Ridge boys.
First round, Tuesday
No. 16 Vista del Lago at No. 1 Vanden
No. 9 El Dorado at No. 8 Christian Brothers
No. 12 Rosemont at No. 5 Weston Ranch
No. 13 Lincoln at No. 4 Patterson
No. 14 El Camino at No. 3 Rio Linda
No. 11 East Union at No. 6 Placer
No. 10 Benicia at No. 7 Florin
No. 15 Central Valley at No. 2 Inderkum
DIVISION IV GIRLS
Three-time defending Division champion Bradshaw Christian seeks its seventh title overall under coach Mike Ruble, who also coaches the boys team. The Pride is led by Erika Bean (19.5 points) and Jordyn Bell (18.9).
Top-seed Brookside Christian (20-2) is led by Aarion McDonald (26.7) and Ariana Vaughn (13). Brookside Christian won the last three Division V section titles and, per CIF rules, moves up a level. West Campus is led by Namiko Adams (16.1.
First round, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
No. 16 Linden at No. 1 Brookside Christian
No. 9 Livingston at No. 8 San Juan
No. 12 Hughson at No. 5 Excel Academy
No. 13 Foothill at No. 4 Dixon
No. 14 Ripon at No. 3 West Campus
No. 11 Highlands at No. 6 Colfax
No. 10 Riverbank at No. 7 Sonora
No. 15 Orestimba at No. 2 Bradshaw Christian
DIVISION V GIRLS
Woodland Christian has won 19 consecutive games and is 22-3 overall Rebecca Williams (15.5 points) and Paige Randolph (14.6). Other contenders include Capital Christian, led by freshman Elana Hall (12.7) and senior Nicole Colbert (14.3), Delta Charter, Argonaut, Gustine and Ben Holt Academy.
First round, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
No. 9 Holt Academy at No. 8 Rio Vista
No. 12 Mariposa at No. 5 Millennium
No. 11 Western Sierra at No. 6 Gustine
No. 10 Delta Charter at No. 7 Forest Lake Christian
Byes: No. 1 Woodland Christian, No. 4 Ripon Christian, No. 3 Capital Christian, No. 2 Argonaut.
DIVISION VI GIRLS
Defending champion Valley Christian of Roseville (21-4) features senior anchor Lily Hagerty (18 points) and Erika Lyin (11.3). Other contenders include Turlock Christian (which lost to Valley Christian in the final last season), Sacramento Adventist, Stockton Christian and Sacramento Waldorf.
First round, Friday, 7 p.m.
No. 9 Sac Country Day at No. 8 Victory Christian
No. 10 Freedom Christian at No. 7 Wilton Christian
First round, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
No. 5 Stockton Christian at No. 4 Sac Adventist
No. 6 Lodi Christian at No. 3 Sacramento Waldorf
Byes: No. 1 Valley Christian, No. 2 Turlock Christian
This story was originally published February 18, 2015 at 6:33 PM.